Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from June 4-6
Jun 6, 2021, 6:00 PM
(Phoenix Fire Department Photo)
(Phoenix Fire Department Photo)
PHOENIX — More than 200 firefighters battled a blaze in Phoenix on Saturday that destroyed multiple businesses, a fourth suspect in the murder case involving a body found at a Phoenix park turned himself in and the hand recount of ballots from Maricopa County’s 2020 general election is more than 60% complete.
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Multiple businesses destroyed in recycling plant fire in Phoenix
A fire at a recycling plant in Phoenix on Saturday destroyed multiple businesses and initiated a response from fire departments in seven cities in the Valley to stop the spread.
Phoenix Fire Department first responded to the scene, which was quickly upgraded to a Type 1 fire.
Smoke from the recycling plant, located near the intersection of 35th Avenue and Lincoln Street, could be seen from 19th Avenue.
In a tweet, officials said the Type 1 fire was the largest response for the department ever recorded. More than 200 firefighters were on the scene battling the blaze.
A firefighter who suffered a lower extremity injury remained hospitalized Sunday in stable condition.
4th suspect in Papago Park murder case turns himself in
A fourth suspect in the murder case involving a body found at Phoenix’s Papago Park last month turned himself in to Oregon authorities Thursday, police said.
Quincy De’Omunique Marquis Bowen, wanted for first-degree murder in the death of Julian Franco Gonzales, was taken into custody in Portland, the Scottsdale Police Department said in a press release.
Edward N. Hughes, 28, was arrested May 30 on felony charges related to the death. Leeontay Munns, 24, and Anya Bobo, 23, were taken into to custody Tuesday.
Munns was booked on first-degree murder charges; Bobo was booked for conspiracy and facilitation to commit first-degree murder.
Maricopa County ballot recount picks up pace, is more than 60% complete
The hand recount of nearly 2.1 million ballots from Maricopa County’s 2020 general election is more than 60% complete and picking up steam, an Arizona Senate spokesman said Friday.
“It’s sped up quite a bit since we reorganized everything and reset the floor,” Randy Pullen, co-liaison for the Arizona Senate Republicans who ordered the audit, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s pool reporter.
“It’s a much, much smoother operation. Accuracy is still as good as ever; we’re just doing it quicker.”
Pullen said the process has been going so well that some workers doing the counting are being moved to a different task.
Construction equipment blamed for igniting destructive Spur Fire
The Spur Fire, a small but destructive blaze that burned 24 homes last week in Yavapai County, was caused by construction equipment and was “completely accidental,” authorities said Friday.
The equipment was being used for an approved roadwork project in the Bagdad area, about 125 miles northwest of Phoenix, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
“This fire was found to be completely accidental. There was no recklessness involved,” the release said.
“There will be no criminal charges sought, nor was there found to be any negligence in the crew’s actions.”
Girl killed after man allegedly fires gun into vehicle in Phoenix
A man is in custody after allegedly firing a gun into a vehicle and killing a girl in Phoenix early Friday, authorities said.
Officers responded to a gun call near 43rd Avenue and Indian School Road around 1 a.m., according to a Phoenix Police Department press release.
They learned Francisco Sanchez, 23, stopped a vehicle driven by a woman with her two children inside.
He then allegedly shot the girl sitting in the front passenger seat, police said, before fleeing on foot.
Police said the suspect threatened another woman nearby before officers located and arrested him.
